audit committee charterx

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AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER Organization The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors shall be comprised of at least three directors who are independent of management and the Company. Each member of the Audit Committee must be determined to be independent under the American Stock Exchange (“AMEX”) standards and must meet the additional requirements under the Exchange Act. Under these requirements, an Audit Committee member may not accept, directly or indirectly, any consulting, advisory or other compensatory fee from the Company, other than director fees. Also, an Audit Committee member may not be an affiliated person of the Company. Members of the Audit Committee shall be considered independent if they have no relationship to the Company that may interfere with the exercise of their independent from management and the Company. All Audit Committee members will be financially literate, and at least one member shall be an “audit committee financial expert,” as defined by the SEC. Statement of Policy The Audit Committee shall provide assistance to directors in fulfilling their oversight responsibility to the shareholders, potential shareholders, and investment community relating to: the integrity of the Company’s financial statements, the Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, the independent auditor’s qualifications and independence, and, if applicable, the performance of the Company’s internal audit function and that of the ...

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• Publié par: Foil
• Nombre de lectures: 23
• Langue: English

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1755 Wittington Place, Suite 340, Dallas TX 75234 • Phone: [phone] • Fax: [phone]

AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER

Organization

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors shall be comprised of at least three

directors who are independent of management and the Company. Each member of the Audit

Committee must be determined to be independent under the American Stock Exchange

(“AMEX”) standards and must meet the additional requirements under the Exchange Act. Under

these requirements, an Audit Committee member may not accept, directly or indirectly, any

consulting, advisory or other compensatory fee from the Company, other than director fees.

Also, an Audit Committee member may not be an affiliated person of the Company. Members

of the Audit Committee shall be considered independent if they have no relationship to the

Company that may interfere with the exercise of their independent from management and the

Company. All Audit Committee members will be financially literate, and at least one member

shall be an “audit committee financial expert,” as defined by the SEC.

Statement of Policy

The Audit Committee shall provide assistance to directors in fulfilling their oversight

responsibility to the shareholders, potential shareholders, and investment community relating

to: the integrity of the Company’s financial statements, the Company’s compliance with legal

and regulatory requirements, the independent auditor’s qualifications and independence, and,

if applicable, the performance of the Company’s internal audit function and that of the

independent auditors. In so doing, it is the responsibility of the audit committee to maintain

free and open communication among the directors, the independent auditors and the financial

management of the Company. It is the expectation of the Audit Committee that the financial

management will fulfill its responsibility of bringing any significant items to the attention of the

Audit Committee.

Responsibilities

In carrying out its responsibilities, the Audit Committee believes its policies and

procedures should remain flexible, in order to best react to changing conditions and to ensure

to the directors and shareholders that the corporate accounting and reporting practices of the

Company are in accordance with pertinent requirements.

1755 Wittington Place, Suite 340, Dallas TX 75234 • Phone: [phone] • Fax: [phone]

The following is a listing of the Audit Committee’ responsibilities:

General

1.

Obtain annually the full Board of Directors’ approval of this Charter and review

and reassess this Charter as conditions dictate.

2.

Submit the minutes of all meetings of the Audit Committee to, or discuss the

matters discussed at each Committee meeting, with the Board of Directors.

3.

Report the results of the annual audit to the Board of Directors.

4.

Investigate any matter brought to its attention within the scope of its duties, with

the power to retain outside legal, accounting or other advisors for this purpose

if, in its judgment, that is appropriate.

5.

Review, consider and authorize any proposal to hire employees or former

employees of the independent auditors.

6.

Monitor procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints

received from employees regarding accounting, internal control or auditing

matters, including the confidential and anonymous submission by employees

regarding questionable accounting or auditing practices.

7.

Include a report of the Audit Committee in the proxy statement.

8.

On an annual basis, conduct a self evaluation.

Meetings and Communications

9.

Hold regularly scheduled meetings.

10.

Periodically, the Committee will meet privately with the independent auditors,

with the Company’s Chief Financial Officer and, if applicable, with the

Company’s internal auditor to discuss issues and concerns warranting Committee

attention.

11. Review the financial statements contained in the annual report to the

shareholders. Discuss such annual report with management and the independent

auditors, including the Company’s disclosures under Management’s Discussion

and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. Determine that

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the independent auditors are satisfied with the disclosure and content of the

financial statements to be presented to the shareholders. Review with financial

management and the independent auditors the results of their timely analysis of

significant financial reporting issues and practices, including changes in, or

adoptions of, accounting principals and disclosure practices, and discuss other

matters required to be communicated to the Committee by the auditors.

12.

Review with the independent auditors, if applicable, the Company’s internal

auditor, and financial and accounting personnel, the adequacy and effectiveness

of the accounting and financial controls of the Company, and elicit

recommendations for the improvement of such internal controls or particular

areas where new or more detailed controls or procedures are desirable.

13.

Review, in general, earnings press releases, quarterly filings, and financial

information and earnings guidance provided to analysts and rating agencies.

14.

Discuss policies with respect to risk assessment and risk management.

Independent Auditors

15.

The Committee shall be directly responsible for the appointment, termination,

compensation and oversight of the independent auditors, including resolution of

any disagreements between management and the independent auditors. The

Committee will have a clear understanding with the independent auditors that

they are ultimately accountable to the Audit Committee, as the shareholders’

representatives, who have the ultimate authority in deciding to engage, evaluate,

and if appropriate, terminate their services.

16.

Pre-approve all audit and non-audit services provided by the independent

auditors, with appropriate pre-approval authority delegated to the Audit

Committee Chairperson. Any decisions of the Audit Committee Chairperson will

be presented to the full Audit Committee at its next regularly scheduled meeting.

17.

Meet with the independent auditors and financial management of the Company

to review the scope of the proposed audit and quarterly reviews for the current

year and the procedures to be utilized. At the conclusion thereof, the results of

such audit or reviews, including any audit problems or difficulties, any comments

or recommendations of the independent auditors, along with management’s

responses to these issues, shall be communicated to the Committee.

18.

On an annual basis, obtain from the independent auditors a written

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communication delineating all their relationships and professional services as

required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, Independence

Discussions

with

Audit

Committees.

Additionally,

such

annual

written

communication will describe any issue that would materially affect the

independent auditors’ ability to effectively provide services to the Company and

render an audit opinion. Obtain and review at least annually a report from the

independent auditors describing that firm’s internal quality-control procedures;

any material issues raised by the most recent quality-control review, or peer

review of the firm, or by any inquiry or investigation by governmental or

professional authorities, within the preceding five years, respecting one or more

independent audits carried out by the firm, and steps taken to deal with any such

issues.

19. On an annual basis, evaluate the independent auditor’s qualifications,

performance and independence, including the review and evaluation of the lead

partner of the independent auditor. Assure the regular rotation of the lead audit

partner as required by law. Periodically consider and evaluate the prudence of

rotation of the independent auditor. Present conclusions to the Board of

Directors.

Adopted by the Board of Directors

October 20, 2004